Just now, at 1 am, my depressed mood suddenly lifted... Until 1:30 am, when I realized that this mood lift just reinforces this DSPS pattern that has been destroying my health for 5 yrs. I would often go 36 hrs w/o sleep, in order to "reset" my internal clock and my mood. I read some research using sleep deprivation for med-resistant depression, and it usually helped me, for a day or so.
Exercise had also helped my MDD, but after foot surgery 6 wks ago, my depression got severe, and my usual bedtime got later, to 4-5 am. I was skipping one night's sleep per week, until my body got so exhausted I could no longer recharge myself.
But 6 days ago, I tried the 36-hr wake time once more, getting to bed @ 11pm. I was so proud yesterday, telling my doc I had made it 4 days on a daytime schedule. But like some of you said, I am just slipping back into my old pattern, w/later bed every nite. I'll be 69 soon - I am too old for this.
Ya'll are right. People accept my other chronic illnesses, mostly. But they don't have a clue about DSPS. It has the power of a physical addiction, and I don't see a way out. Light therapy? 2 hrs later bed each nite, till 10pm? Anybody?